Western Movie Review Of Maverick

by Rachael
(Brighton, CO)

Maverick No.1 with Maverick No.2

Western Movie Review of Maverick: I love this movie really. It is always a go-to movie in my collection when my husband and I can't decide what we would like to watch. I love Mel Gibson who plays Maverick in the movie, as well as the actor who played the original Maverick on the T.V. series, James Garner as the crooked sheriff.

The plot of this amazing movie is full of surprises, twists and dry humor. There is a big poker tournament going to be held in the town and all characters have their own cards up their sleeves. Everyone has a brilliant plan and they clash with each other for the poker money. Jodie Foster's character is a total laugh riot. She plays a con-woman with sticky fingers, who likes Maverick. She is trying to raise enough money to enter a big-prize poker tournament. This is a star studded movie. There are stars everywhere you look in this film. Clint Black, the country singer, plays a crooked gambler and his songs are most of the soundtrack for the movie. The movie was nominated for an Oscar for best costume design in 2005, and the colors and costumes were certainly stunning.


Visually, the movie grabs you from the start. There is beautiful desert scenery as well as exquisite detail in the riverboat, the costumes and dresses and the bars and hotels. The colors are vibrant and eye-catching. There are so many unexpected turns in this movie including the romance which develops between Annabelle and Brett Maverick. Even in the end, Annabelle and Maverick are fighting over the winnings. They are constantly one-upping one another grabbing for the loot. It is a surprise to the very end.


The all star cast is another reason to see the movie. Jodie Foster, Mel Gibson, James Garner, Clint Black, you name it and they played it. There are several famous country singers spattered throughout the film as well, and if you are not careful you will miss all the cameos.


In some research on this film, I also learned that Meg Ryan was originally the first choice to be cast as Annabelle. Mel Gibson also had to be given lessons to learn how to draw his gun from his holster. That you would never know from watching the movie. Jodie foster seems a natural for Annabelle, and it is hard to imagine her part being played by anybody else than her. For the fact that Mel Gibson had lessons to learn gun draw, he seems a natural in the movie. I never would have guessed that initially he found it awkward to attempt drawing a gun from a holster. He steals the show with his true-handsome looks and witty dialogues.


The movie is rated PG, so it is great for the whole family to watch. Total running time is 129 minutes, so it is just over two hours. It seems like a much shorter movie than it actually is since I always get lost in the characters and the movie. It was released in May of 1994, and did very well at the box office, despite mediocre reviews. Even though the movie reviews were just OK, I still thoroughly enjoy this movie as do my husband and my son. Overall, this movie is a true pleasure to watch.

It is fun, funny, dramatic, and romantic. I will watch this movie over and over again, and never get tired of it.